Guide for cutting torches



Juny 12, 1949. E E; HARM 2,475,891

, GUIDESFOR CUTTING TORCHES Filed April 11, 1947' 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTOR/VE' YJ'.

July l2, 1949. E. E. HARRIS x 2,475,891

GUIDE FQR CUTTING TORCHES Filed April 11, 1947 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,06.4. 76.5.A lf

' JNVENTOR. RAS Tu; E. MMR/.5, 1

Patented July 12, A1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to cutting torches, and more particularly to a guide for permitting straight, circular, even and efcien't cutting by an acetylene torch.

As is well known, it is diiicult and arduous to hold an acetylene torch in such a way as to obtain a uniform cut, especially when the work is thick, long or tough.

It is a prin-cipal object of the present invention to provide a mechanical guide, adapted to ride on the work and so designed as to hold the torch in proper position for the cutting operation, whether straight or curved.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood that modifications may be made therein Without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cutting guide constructed in accordance wtih the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan thereof, a portion being broken away to show the construction.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the device, taken from the side opposite that shown in Figure l.

Figures 4 and 5 are elevation and front views, respectively, of a trailing Wheel for insuring a straight cut.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through a fork for supporting the torch.

The guide comprises a horizontal spider I0, supported on four `carriage wheels, II, I2, I3 and I4, which are adapted to ride on the surface of the metal I 5 that is to be cut. The spider I0 carries a handle I6 and the tWO conduits I1 and I8 that conduct the gases to the cutting tip I9. The spider Ill further carries a leading guide wheel 2I adapted to follow a line or other indicia on the surface of the work I5, and a trailing guide Wheel 22 adapted to ride in the trench cut out by the torch, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The front carriage wheels I I and I3 are mounted for rotation on a horizontal cross-bracket 24 underneath the spider I0, by means of a shaft fixed to the bracket 24, or extending through the bracket 24, or otherwise. The rear wheels I2 and I4 are similarly mounted on a bracket 25. If desired, the wheels I I and I2 may be connected by a connecting rod 26 to promote uniform turning and the wheels I3 and I4 may be similarly connected by a connecting rod 21.

The cross-bracket 24 is adjustably secured to the spider I by means of two bolts 29 tapped into the bracket 24 and adjustable by means of wing-nuts 30 on the upper surface of the spider I0. A lock-nut 3I underneath the spider I0 Will hold the bracket 24 in adjusted position. By this means the spider IIJ may be raised or lowered with respect to the work I5, and maintained in desired position. The rear bracket 25 is similarly fastened to the rear of the spider I0.

The leading guide wheel 2| is supported by an angular bolt 33 that passes through the front bracket 24 and the spider ID, and is adjustably secured to the spider I0 by an upper nut 34 and a lower nut 35. Thus, it will be possible to elevate the guide wheel 2| to be clear of the work I5, if that is desired, or to ride thereon.

The rear guide wheel 22 has a central shoulder 36 that is adapted to ride in the cut made in the metal I5. The wheel 22 is supported on a horizontal pin 31 mounted in a bifurcated holder 38 removably secured to the rear bracket 25 or integral therewith. If desired, this holder 38 may be vertically adjustable with respect to the bracket 25 in order to permit changes in the depth of the shoulder 36 in the cut.

The spider I0 has a central aperture through which the tipv I9 of the torch may be passed, and an annular rest 40 on top of the spider I0 will hold the tip I9 in place. The lower conduit I1 of the torch is supported by a fork 4I, xed to the top of a threaded member 42, and the latter passes through an aperture in the spider I 0 and is adjustable vertically with respect thereto by means of a nut 43.

The conduits I1 and I8 are elastically clamped in position by three spring clamps 44 that are adapted to grip the head of the torch adjacent the tip I9. These clamps 44 pass through the spider I0 and may be adjusted thereto by the aid of nuts 45. A fourth spring clamp 46 is adapted to grip the torch farther back, and has a hook portion 4l to permit ready insertion and removal of the torch.v This clamp 46 is similarly adjustable with respect to the spider. If desired, further clamps may be provided.

The handle I6 has four spring members 50 by which it may be mounted on the spider I0, the lower ends of the spring members 50 being adapted to be secured by the wing-nuts 30 on the bolts 29. The handle I6v is so designed that it and the spring members 56 can be removed and replaced on the spider I 0 in reversed position, thereby providing a choice of two grips.

The operation of the device is obvious. Once it is adjusted for depth of cut, it can be easily moved along continuously, in a straight or curved line,

as desired, without varying the uniformity of cut.

If it is desired to cut circles, the carriage wheels Il, l2, I3 and I li are removed. The leading guide wheel 2l and the trailing guide wheel 22 are likewise removed. The two front legs and one rear leg 29 are screwed up all the way, and the bottom of the remaining rear leg 29 is placed in a punch hole in the center of the circle to be cut. A front leg2mayfb'e*used"insteadofi-the' rearl les',l depending on the vdiameter of theA circle. Alternatively all the carriage wheels may be removed and only the guide Wheels utilized.

The spider I is cut away at 5| and 52 to permit view of the cutting, and the ends 53' and5/4' may be fashioned in the shape off wrenches. Changes in the shape may be made to afford the greatest utility.

This device may be modied to accommodate electrical apparatus andrsimilar apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. A guide for a cutting torch comprising a' horizontally' elongated plate, forward and rearward wheel means longitudinally spaced along. said body and each comprising a pair of' laterally spaced vertically adjustable elements, a cross member beneath'b said plate supported` by and between said. vertically. adjustable elements, laterally spaced work surface engaging wheels mountedv on said.cross member for supporting said plate for movement over' the surface of the work, said. vertical elements being adjustable to determine the angularity and spacingof'said cross. member and wheels with respect. to said plate and thereby the angularityandspaoin'g. ofsaid' .plate with respect to the surface ofthe work, a cutting torch tip fixed on said plate between said .forward and rearward wheel means l.and directed. toward the surface of the-work in a. manner providing a change. in the angularity and spacing of said" torch tip with respect tothe work, surfacewhenever the angularity and spacing oflsaidplate with. respect to the work surface is changed, a forward guide roller between the wheels of'said. forward wheel means for rolling upon a guide line provided on the surface ofthe work, means forvertically adjusting sai'd Aforward guide roller to maintain contact of' said. forward guide roller with the work surface whenever the spacing. and angularity of said. plate with respect tothework surface is changed, and. longitudinal handle means rising from saidplate. and'. enabling, manually moving said torch over the work. surface with said forwardy guide roller followingl the guide line provided on the work surface whereby said torch. tip will form a cut inY the surface of the work con-forming. to the guide lline,.and. a trailing guiderol-ler between the. wheels.. of said. rearward wheel means, said trailing guide. roller being arranged to ridecin the cut in thework4 surface formed by said torch: tip as the torch is moved forwardly over the work surfacein afmanner to aid accurate manual movement.. of said. torchl over the work surface with said for-ward: guide roller following the guide line on:` the work surface.

2. A guide fora cutting torch comprising-.a horizontally elongated plate, forward. and rearward wheel `means longitudinally spaced along said body and each comprisinga pair -of laterally 4 spaced vertically adjustable elements, a cross member beneath said plate supported by and between said vertically adjustable elements, laterally spaced work surface engaging wheels 5 mounted on said cross member for supporting said plate for movement over the surface of the work, said Vertical elements being adjustable to determine the angularity and spacing of said cross,v member. and wheelswitlr respect to said plate'and thereby the angularity and spacing of said plate with respect to the surface of the work, a cutting torch tip fixed on said plate between. said.. forward and rearward wheel means and directed toward the surface of the work in a' manner providing a change in the angularity andspacing of said torch tip with respect to the work'surface whenever the angularity and spacing ofsaid plate with respect to the Work surface is changed, a forward guide roller between the wheels of said forward wheel means for rolling upon. a. guideline. provided on the surface of the work,.means. for vertically adjusting said forward guide roller to maintain contact of said. forward guideroller with the work surface whenever the spacing. andangularity. ofv said plate with respect to the work. surfaceischangedand longitudinal handle means rising from said plate and enabling manuallyy moving said'. torch over the work.sur face with said forwardA guide roller following. the

guide line provided on. the work surface whereby saidV torch tipwill form a cut in the surface of the work conforming to the guideline, and a trailing guide roller between the Wheels. of said rearward wheelzmeans, said trailing guide roller beingarranged to ride in the cut in thework surface formed by said torch tip as the torch is moved forwardly over the work surface in a manner to aid accurate manual movement of said torch over.V the Work surface with said forward guide roller following the guide line on the work surface, said trailing guide roller being vertically adjustabletoprovide'desired contact of said trailing guide roller withthecut in the'work surface in conformance1 with the angularity andV spacing 5 of said plate with respect to the work surface.

ERASTUS E. HARRIS;

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the le ofv this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,324,006 Buckna-m Dec. 2, 1919 1,553,508 Cloud Sept. 15, 1925 1,718,192 Crowe June 18, 1929 2,018,378 Nass Oct. 22, 1935 2,341,358 Brow et al Feb. 8, 1944 2,377,673 Chaddock June 5, 1945 2,424,286' Robbins July 22, 1947 2,429,686' Helmkamp Oct. 28, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 5 Number Country Date 408,345 Great Britain Apr. 12, 1934 201,483 Germany Sept.` 11, 1908 331,083 Germany Dec. 29, 1920 421,603 Germany Nov. 23, 1925 

